Associations Between Gender, Torture, and Health: A 5-Year Retrospective Cohort Analysis

Abstract

Our purpose was to identify longitudinal associations between torture exposure, physical and mental health outcomes, and gender in a cohort of 143 war-affected Karen adults five years post resettlement. Results showed that participants who self-reported primary torture experiences had higher rates of certain mental and physical health diagnoses. We observed gender differences in health over time in the cohort. Findings have implications for how primary care and public health providers implement war trauma screening tools and timelines, targeted healthcare services, and community resources to promote health and prevent disease in populations that have trauma from torture or war.

Keywords:

• Refugee
• health
• trauma
• torture
• gender

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

Data available on request from the authors.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sarah J. Hoffman

Sarah J. Hoffman, PhD, MPH, MSN, RN, is an assistant professor in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

Patricia J. Shannon

Patricia J. Shannon, PhD, LP, is an associate professor at the University of Minnesota School of Social Work and a research associate at the Center for Victims of Torture.

Tonya L. Horn

Tonya L. Horn, PhD, MSW, LISW, is an assistant professor in the University of St. Thomas School of Social Work.

James Letts

James P. Letts, MD, is a family medicine physician with M Health Fairview Clinic – Roselawn.

Zoe Kondes

Zoë Kondes, RN, PHN, is a cardiovascular nurse at Abbott Northwestern Hospital and an alumnus of the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.

Michelle A. Mathiason

Michelle A. Mathiason, MS, is a biostatistician in the University of Minnesota School of Nursing.